Jodie Batchelor
Jodie is the current Victorian Vets Criterium and Road champion in her age group. She has been racing for several years now and likes any event that involves sprinting and not too many hills. She initially used cycling as an important part of her rehabilitation from a mountaineering accident in New Zealand. She then got into racing as a replacement for martial arts in which she represented Australia and won Gold, Silver & Bronze medals in the Martial Arts World Games in 2000.
Tour de France – stage 10 (in review)
- By Jodie Batchelor
- Published 15-Jul-08
My boy is on YELLOW! GO Cadel.
Ok - firstly apologies for not writing a blog on the TdF for a few days - I had my own tour and have been trying to get some sleep. I am glad they are giving me a rest tonight!
Last nights stage - I was worried that Cadel would not start. I know he said he would, but until you are on the line you never know. The stage was tough with 2 Cat HC climbs - the Col du Tourmalet and the finishing climb, the 14.4 kilometre ascent to Hautacam. In the early part of the stage when the pelaton was together, Cadel had his team around him - particularly on the left ensuring that no rider bumped or worse, took Cadel out.
Cadel finished the stage 8th and put several minutes into two GC hopefuls whose dreams of a podium finish are just about over: Alejandro Valverde and Damiano Cunego.
Cadel has many a time been criticised as a rider who does not attack - last night he attacked and drove the pace which reduced the gap to Frank Schleck (CSC-Saxo Bank) who is only 1 second behind. The CSC team have 3 strong riders - the 2 Schleck brothers (Frank and Andy) and Sastre. Although Cadel had an allie in Menchov (Rabobank) who seemed to work with Cadel - to the benefit of them both I believe. Menchov I still 5th overall is only 57 seconds down.
The yellow jersey wearer at the start of the stage (Kim Kirchen) is now about 2 minutes behind Cadel.
An interesting little fact is that, whoever has been in the yellow jersey after Hautacam has gone to win the race overall. I hope that tradition continues.
